Rays activate 1B Loney from disabled list

Tampa Bay Rays’ James Loney hits an RBI-double off Minnesota Twins pitcher J.R. Graham. (Jim Mone/AP)

NEW YORK — The Tampa Bay Rays have activated first baseman James Loney from the 15-day disabled list and inserted him into the cleanup spot for their game against the New York Yankees.

Loney was out with a broken finger since sustaining the injury sliding headfirst into third base on May 24. He played two rehab games before his return Friday night.

"Ready to go," Loney said.

The Rays hope Loney will boost an offence that lacked a single baserunner for the first five innings in each of the first three of a four-game sweep at the hands of Cleveland this week.

Loney was batting .275 with two home runs and 11 RBIs this year.

Tampa Bay optioned right-hander Preston Guilmet to Triple-A Durham after Thursday’s loss.<

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